RE: Virus + Attracting Bugs
>I think that bugs are present no matter what crop is or isn't nearby. A
>companion crop will attract and retain bugs that otherwise would wander off
>(kind of like a good employee benefits package). I had about 10 eggplants
>that I transplanted out in the middle of a field that had nothing but field
>corn in it for many years. Yet within one week Colorado Potato Beetles
>found these dinky plants and chewed them down to nothing. How could they
>possibly find these few plants in the middle of nothing? I have to conclude
>that the trillions and trillions of insects are constantly foraging about
>until they find a place to dwell, then they come to rest. This observation
>would support the idea of growing alfalfa but not cutting it to attract and
>retain aphids.
>
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Absolutely they are out there lurking
bait crops work get them to settle in and you won't have problems I use
vetch attracts both beneficial and the guys you hate cucumber beetles. Its
like offering them alot to eat as foraging has just become easy. Take
the buffet away and they'll go crazy on the next available lunch......MB
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